Home Security Systems for Renters

Renting a house or apartment frees you from much of the responsibility of homeownership. Renters don’t have to worry about paying for maintenance or repairs, and landlords sometimes even take care of utilities. One thing your landlord will likely not assume responsibility for, however, is the security of you and your belongings in your unit. This is why home security systems for renters are a great investment.

As long as your residence is equipped with working locks and latches, your landlord has probably met their legal obligations. But locks and latches are often not enough. An experienced burglar can usually find a way to break into your home.

As a renter, you may feel you have little recourse but to rely on the basic security that comes with the rental. Landlords generally frown on unauthorized renovations, and home security systems require a lot of wiring and alterations to doors and windows, right? Wrong!

This article explains why wireless home security systems for renters are easy to install, remove, and take with you if you move. And they are even more effective than those old-school, wired systems that require renovations.

While renters share several common risks with homeowners, they must also deal with concerns specific to renting a house or an apartment. For example, homeowners decide who is given the keys to their dwelling. But with a rental unit, there may be multiple passkeys available to property managers, maintenance workers, and anyone else the landlord designates. The keys may be handled in a responsible, secure manner, or not. The tenant really has no way of knowing.

Another security concern faced by some renters is numerous tenants and visitors roaming through a large apartment complex. It can be impossible to determine who is up to no good and who is just heading home. It’s also not unheard of for tenants to prey on their neighbors. And renters who live with roommates may have to contend with individuals pilfering cash or valuables, borrowing clothes, or merely violating privacy.

Add in the fact that a landlord may not have any serious security measures in place, and it becomes clear that renters need to take charge of their own security. Wireless home security systems for renters allow you to proactively safeguard your person, privacy, and property.

The best home security systems for renters are wireless, like the DIY systems offered by Frontpoint. DIY, of course, means “do it yourself.” These systems can be unpacked and set up in a matter of minutes by virtually anyone. No carpentry, wiring, or significant alterations to your doors or windows are required.

Another advantage of going wireless is the fact that you can easily take your home security system with you when your lease is up. Whereas wired systems are semi-permanent installations that may not be reusable, a wireless system can go right back in the box and travel with you to your new home. You can also rearrange, add, or remove components easily.  Most wireless security equipment attaches easily to doors, windows, and shelves with a double-sided adhesive, which is simple to replace—and some devices can just sit on a shelf.

Frontpoint wireless systems link most battery-powered products to a central control Hub using Z-Wave technology. Z-Wave is a communication protocol that uses less power than Wi-Fi and has a longer range than Bluetooth connections. It is also protected with secure AES-128 encryption. And if you’re concerned about the hassle of constantly replacing batteries in your components, don’t be. Most Frontpoint sensors have a battery life of five years or longer.

Another advantage of Frontpoint’s wireless home security systems is that they are easy to set up right out of the box. Other brands require a lengthy “learning” process to get separate pieces to communicate with the control panel. Frontpoint devices arrive preprogrammed to immediately connect and be recognized, and a typical installation takes around 30 minutes.

Wireless smart home security systems are designed to provide seamless connectivity between the user and a broad range of devices. For example, Frontpoint’s Wireless Light Controls allow you to turn lights and small appliances on and off with a mobile app. Energy-saving LED Smart Light Bulbs can also be individually controlled using Z-Wave. Beyond that, any smart home device that uses Z-Wave—from smart thermostats to smart blinds—can communicate with the Frontpoint Hub and be controlled through the Touchscreen, App, or online portal.

Wireless home security cameras—these rely on Wi-Fi because of the higher bandwidth needed—can send a live feed to your mobile device for real-time monitoring. If your Smart Smoke and Heat Sensor or Carbon Monoxide Sensor activates while you are away from home, you will receive a mobile notification, in addition to an audible alarm going off in your home or apartment.

And with all Frontpoint wireless home security systems, you don’t have to go it alone when dealing with intruders or other emergencies. Every package is backed up by Frontpoint’s 24-hour monitoring service. When an intrusion or environmental sensor detects a threat and sounds an alarm, the monitoring center will attempt to contact you twice and obtain your verbal passcode to verify the emergency. If the center is unable to reach you or receives an incorrect passcode, it will dispatch the appropriate first responders to your location. The only exception to this is a Frontpoint CO Sensor; because the colorless, odorless gas can incapacitate so quickly, emergency services are called immediately.

Many wired and wireless home security system brands offer 24-hour monitoring. But many of them require users to sign service contracts with durations of up to two or three years. Frontpoint offers month-to-month agreement options. This gives you the option to stop and start the service at your convenience, which is especially convenient if you move.

Every apartment or rental home has a specific configuration and unique security concerns. Even in neighboring apartments with identical layouts, residents own different types of furniture and valuables and have different lifestyles. Choosing the components and deciding how to set up a wireless home security system requires some consideration.

Are there certain areas that may attract the attention of a burglar, such as a shelf full of electronic equipment or a personal safe? Installing a wireless camera pointed in that direction will provide you with a clear image of any thief who makes it inside.

Frontpoint’s Doorbell Cameras can significantly reduce the risk of a break-in or home invasion. These useful devices provide a wide-range image along with two-way audio. This allows you to see and speak with visitors—whether you are home or not—before unlocking the door, which can be done remotely with a Smart Door Lock. And if someone is lurking outside without pressing the doorbell, a built-in motion sensor will also activate the camera, record a clip, and alert you to their presence.

Motion sensors are an essential line of defense for renters. Because landlords and maintenance workers usually hold keys to the property, tenants may be at the mercy of unscrupulous individuals who want to steal or snoop. Anyone who lives with a roommate may have the same worry.

Frontpoint Motion Sensors use infrared technology to detect changes in the thermal environment of a room, and they are specifically calibrated to the heat levels generated by humans. When someone enters an area equipped with one of these sensors, the device will activate and the Frontpoint Hub can send you a mobile notification. If the system is armed, it will also sound an alarm and notify the monitoring center. And if you have an Indoor Camera integrated with your wireless system, it’s built-in motion sensors can also trigger an alert while recording a clip, and you can view live footage of the intruder from your smartphone.

Another effective way to catch home intruders in the act—or just snooping roommates or landlords—is by installing wireless Door/Window Sensors. These devices consist of two segments which rest adjacent to each other. A sensor component sits on the door or window frame, while a second component containing a magnet is affixed to the door or window itself. When the door or window is opened, the two pieces separate. This breaks an electrical circuit between the two, triggering an alert (and an alarm, if the system is armed).

Despite the name, door/window sensors aren’t just for outside doors and windows. They can also be attached to just about anything that opens and closes in the house, including bedroom and closet doors, as well as cabinets and other storage places. This makes them particularly useful for detecting unauthorized intrusions by roommates, building employees, or anyone else.

Have an annoying roommate who “borrows” your clothes? Put a Door/Window Sensor on your bedroom or closet door. Better yet, install an Indoor Camera or Premium Indoor Camera in your room. You’ll receive an alert when motion is detected, have a recording of the act, and even be able to tell them to “Put it back!” using the camera’s 2-way audio.

Every rental unit has individual security needs. A rental house with front and back doors and multiple windows requires a different set-up than an efficiency apartment with one door and two or three windows. A ground floor apartment faces a separate set of threats than a unit on the 17^th floor of a high-rise. Fortunately, Frontpoint offers its security products bundled in a variety of packages for both savings and convenience.

Renters with smaller units might select Frontpoint’s 9-piece Safe Everyday package. Those who live in rental houses or larger apartments can select packages that include up to 14 components. While the contents of each package vary, all of them include the Frontpoint Hub and Keypad that tie the system together and link it with the 24/7 monitoring center. And renters who prefer to assemble a custom system can choose their own components.

Frontpoint offers home security systems for renters that combine powerful security with the incredible convenience of a wireless set-up. Install the system in 30 minutes. Pack up the components and take them with you when you move.

Whether you plan to live in your rental unit for a few months or a few years, you have the same level of security enjoyed by homeowners.

To learn more about home security systems for renters, read “What is a DIY Home Security System?” and this blog that provides a detailed comparison of wired and wireless systems.